Insights from the Work

Observations, reflections, and practical guidance on leadership, organizational effectiveness, and the human experience of work.

Leadership is human work.

How we lead is shaped by how we relate to being human.

At StartHuman, we believe leadership effectiveness requires developing more conscious relationships with three fundamental aspects of the human experience: power, fear, and vulnerability.

We call this The StartHuman Way™.

Three invitations to lead with greater awareness, compassion, and choice:

Stand in Service™: Choose commitment over compliance.
Befriend Fear™: Choose presence over protection.
Sit in the Fire™: Choose integrity over relief.

Here, we explore the human side of leadership effectiveness—the patterns, choices, and everyday behaviors that shape our relationships, our impact, and the cultures we create.

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Amber Barnes 10/7/26 Amber Barnes 10/7/26

Wow, You Have a Strategic Plan!

If the measure of success is simply having a strategic plan, you’ve completed an exercise. Strategic planning should do more—creating the clarity and alignment people need to understand where you’re going and how they contribute.

Amber Barnes 11/21/25 Amber Barnes 11/21/25

Why We Recommend Blanchard’s Management Essentials for Every Leader

Leaders and HR, L&D, and OD professionals: Mastering the basics of leadership isn’t optional—it’s transformative. Blanchard’s Management Essentials equips leaders to bring purpose, vision, and values to life, activate position agreements, and create clarity, accountability, and high-performing teams.

michelle maile 5/23/22 michelle maile 5/23/22

Want to manage performance better? Repurpose the SMART methodology.

SMART goals neglect the need for shared communication and ongoing support. By reordering and revamping SMART to STRAM, we can start out on a better foot and open the door to better communication and performance.

michelle maile 5/10/22 michelle maile 5/10/22

How To Develop Talent: Our Top 5 Dos and Don’ts

It’s easy for leaders to make assumptions about the speed and ease with which people move from developing skills to contributing to the team. Read our 5 tips and set your team up for success.